Latest Area News Headlines

WORTHINGTON — In honor of President’s Day, all city, county, state and federal offices in Worthington will be closed today. The Nobles County Library will be closed, as will the Worthington post office. There will be no mail delivery. Bank of the West, Fulda Area Credit Union and Worthington Federal Savings Bank will be closed today. First State Bank Southwest’s Oxford Street location will be closed, its Walmart location is open normal hours. Rolling Hills Bank, United Prairie Bank and Wells Fargo will observe regular hours.

WORTHINGTON – Thursday’s blowing snow and icy roads caused more than a dozen fender benders, crashes and rollovers across the area. The Nobles County Sheriff’s Office received several reports of crashes by early morning, prompting Chief Deputy Chris Heinrichs to contact Radio Works to ask motorists to slow down and beware of finger drifts and blowing snow.

A rollover was reported on Highway 35 shortly before 7 a.m. The victim was able to get out of her vehicle on her own. A crash was reported around noon on I-90, when the victim’s vehicle slid on the road and hit the median.

ROUND LAKE – The city of Round Lake is issuing a freeze warning as of February 13. The city said customers are starting to experience frozen underground water service. All customers are asked to leave a single cold faucet running. The city recommends a small stream about the size of a pencil lead. Even with warmer temperatures, they said, the frost will go deeper. Contact Round Lake City Hall at 507-945-8127 with any questions.

The city of Round Lake isn’t the only place suggesting a lightly running faucet. The city of Slayton made the same recommendation to their customers earlier...

WORTHINGTON – During a work session Wednesday, The Nobles County Commissioners discussed a drainage project that involves assessing all the ditches in the county. Nobles County Administrator Tom Johnson said it could take up to three years to get a reviewer for the system.

The Commissioners also talked about a possible new county assessor, and are hoping to make an offer by the end of the week. Time was also spent on discussing road projects heading into the future, and a new tobacco policy, which would limit the sale of tobacco products.

WORTHINGTON –Kathy Kusz on Tuesday announced her candidacy for Nobles County Attorney, a position she was appointed to approximately two years ago by the Nobles County Board of Commissioners. The position opened up when then-Nobles County Attorney Gordon Moore was sworn in as judge in the Minnesota Fifth Judicial District.

Kusz has more than 25 years experience working in a county attorney office, first in Lyon County, then as an assistant county attorney in Nobles County. Because she was appointed when she took office, this will be the first time she has thrown her hat in the ring...

WORTHINGTON – The Worthington City Council on Monday had a first reading of a land rezoning in the city bounded by Oxford Street, Rowe Avenue, Stower Drive and McMillan Street, which will rezone the area into general manufacturing. A public meeting on the subject was held last week.

The council also approved Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH) to design the 10th Avenue bridge over Whiskey Ditch and had a discussion regarding the remapping of the floodplain.

A $1,500 for sponsorship for the Worthington Regional Economic Development Corp.’s 2014 Bioscience Conference was also...

ADRIAN - Friends and family of Sara Vortherms will be holding a benefit on her behalf Saturday, February 22, 2014. The benefit will be held at the Adrian American Legion building from noon to 8 pm. There will be a silent and live auction, bake sale, games and food and beverage.

Sara was diagnosed with large B-cell non-hodgins Lymphoma in October of 2013. She is undergoing chemotherapy treatment and will have her last treatment in February.
Sara works for the Sanford Surgical Unit as a surgical tech. and is continuing to work half days as able. She was previously a volunteer...

WORTHINGTON - All Worthington area retailers are invited to the semi-annual meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday at BenLee's Cafe. The all-retailers meeting gives business owners a chance to discuss promotions and make plans for 2014. The 2014 events calendar will be available to pick up at the meeting. A light meal will be served for a small fee. Please RSVP on the event page of the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page or call the chamber at 372-2919.

WORTHINGTON — Rickey Hill, the National Endowment of the Humanities’ civil rights speaker, will present a lecture, “The...

WORTHINGTON – A former Worthington man pleaded guilty Wednesday to third-degree assault in Nobles County District Court. Joshua Barker, age 25, entered into a plea agreement with the state, admitting he assaulted another man in April of 2013 during a confrontation. As per the agreement, other assault charges pending were dismissed.

Barker said he hit another man with a glass, causing three deep lacerations to his head. In the midst of the confrontation at an apartment they shared, there was no other way to get him to move, Barker said, when the man backed him into a corner.

WORTHNGTON – The Nobles County Commissioners on Tuesday approved an agreement with the Minnesora Department of Transportation for use of Highway 16 as a detour route when construction begins this year on Minnesota 62 between Fulda and Windom. The $14 million project will go out for bid in March.

Public Works Director Stephen Schnieder said MnDOT will reimburse the county up to $6,500 for use of the roadway during the detour. It will also repair any damage created by the additional traffic. Schnieder said traffic on the road will see an additional 800 to 900 vehicles daily during the...